World launch for Boston calendar

Boston's first official calendar is already winging its way around the world after its launch at the Guildhall on Friday by MP Mark Simmonds.

A special large A3 version has been sent "from our Boston to your Boston" and will arrive with a message for the mayor and residents of Boston, Massachusetts.

"From our Boston to your Boston" - Mayor Cllr Alison Austin signs one of the large A3 calendars to be sent as a gift from Boston, Lincolnshire, to Boston, Massachusetts

The landmark icon, The Stump, features in some of the spectacular images of the town and a copy has also been sent to Princess Anne, patron of Boston's parish church.

The 2015 calendar has been launched with two aims - to promote Boston and to help two deserving causes.

It features beautiful photographs, taken through the changing seasons, including Central Park looking like a winter wonderland, sailing boats in the spring on the Witham, the colour and fun of the May Fair, Witham Way Country Park draped in autumnal colours and sparkling Christmas lights in Church Street.

It is now available for the bargain price of just £4.99 from Municipal Buildings in West Street, the Guildhall, the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex, Johnsons Garden Centre and other town outlets and online, plus postage, at http://bit.ly/1tvBINI (go to "other payments" and then "2015 calendar" at the bottom of the list).

Half of total proceeds from sales of the calendar will go to help research a better understanding of the Epstein-Barr Virus and its behaviour and to develop a vaccine which will one day hopefully protect all young people. Epstein-Barr Virus is responsible for Glandular Fever. This virus exists in something like 95 per cent of the world's population and is normally kept under control by our immune system. But the virus has a very dark side to it, as in rare circumstances it can introduce and set off a very aggressive form of Lymphoma Cancer.

This set of circumstances led to the death just over eight months ago of Lucy-Anne Lumb, 19-years-old and the daughter of Judy and Steve Lumb. Steve is Boston Borough Council's head of built environment and development.

The other half of the proceeds will go towards a youth training programme organised by Boston's Witham Sailing Club. This gives children from all backgrounds an opportunity to get on the water and experience the fun of sailing. They also learn about discipline and responsibility - vital for safety afloat. Many develop a lifelong passion and some go on to even pursue maritime careers. The proceeds will help fund a training dinghy for the junior members.

Mr Simmonds expressed condolences to Mr and Mrs Lumb, but said out of tragedy had come light. He said sales of the calendar would not only help fund research into the virus, but raise the profile and alert other parents to the potential dangers and aid all-important early diagnosis.

He praised Boston businesses for getting behind the calendar and sponsoring pages so that all production costs were covered, so that all revenue from sales could go to the good causes.

MP Mark Simmonds at Boston Guildhall launches the first official Boston calendar. He is pictured with calendar sponsors, guests and calendar organisers, Cllrs Mary Wright and Carol Taylor, front row, third and fourth from the left. Photographer Christopher Lewis is pictured to the immediate right of Mr Simmonds

Cllr Taylor told how the idea for the calendar grew from the dramatic events of the nights and days after Boston's December flood. She told of the devastation in Church Street, but how, immediately afterwards, all hands rallied to ensure the street's Christmas lights were turned on in style.

A photograph of the street by talented local photographer Mr Christopher Lewis, with Christmas lights blazing and no sign of the flood damage which many of the business owners were still coping with, inspired the calendar idea.

Mr Lewis was commissioned to take photographs throughout the year to reflect the changing seasons in some of Boston's best-loved locations.

Cllr Wright said: "We hope that people will want to buy it for themselves and for relatives and friends. It is a very practical calendar, with plenty of room for entries, but also has beautiful images of Boston."

The calendar has been designed by the council's communications department and printed by Digital Printing Services of Boston and Sleaford.

October sponsor Tina Parkinson, Digital Printing Services received her copy of the 2015 calendar. Tina was also involved in the printing of the calendars

Cllrs Taylor and Wright have already begun work on a calendar for 2016. It will show Boston people at work and has a working title of "This is Boston". If your company is interested in sponsoring a month call 01205 314308.